Aussies ‘would be crazy’ not to consider Donnell Wallam as World Cup ‘X-factor’ dilemmas emerge

The Aussie Diamonds would be “crazy” not to consider taking Donnell Wallam to the Netball World Cup as several selection dilemmas emerge.

Bianca Chatfield says Donnell Wallam’s sensational form for the Queensland Firebirds could force Australian selectors to include her in the Diamonds’ squad for July’s Netball World Cup.

Wallam made a fairytale Diamonds debut last year and has gone from strength to strength in just her second Super Netball season — scoring a mountain of goals for the Firebirds.

The 29-year-old was overlooked for January’s Quad Series for Sophie Garbin, but the pair are now in a race for the fourth shooting spot in the Diamonds’ World Cup squad.

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With Gretel Bueta (pregnant) to miss the World Cup — Cara Koenen, Steph Wood and Kiera Austin are locks to go to South Africa — leaving one spare spot for the goal shooter position.

Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich appears to favour Garbin, who turned last year’s Constellation Cup in Australia’s favour, but she has struggled playing out of position at goal attack at Collingwood behind Shimona Nelson.

Marinkovich doesn’t read too much into domestic form but the contrast in scoring output between Wallam and Garbin could force Marinkovich’s hand.

“It’s really hard and you get really deflated when you’re in a team that can’t seem to find form,” Chatfield told news.com.au when asked about Garbin’s lean run.

“Especially when you’re an Aussie contender, you want to be playing and you want to be playing in a really elite way to get picked in this World Cup team.

Sophie Garbin has struggled playing goal attack at Collingwood. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

“I’m sure there’s processes in place to support the players in underperforming sides in Super Netball. But whether that’s enough for selection, who knows.”

Chatfield, a Fox Netball expert and former Diamond, said Wallam was mounting a undeniable case to be picked as Australia’s second goal shooter for the World Cup.

“Donnell Wallam, she could not be doing any more at the moment,” Chatfield said.

“She’s doing everything she can to give herself a spot.

“It’s exciting because there’s options. That’s how you win the World Cup, having the options and versatility.

“I don’t know if she (Wallam) is the frontrunner, I think they’d be pretty even at the moment. The thing is experience and we know Garbin has a bit more experience under her belt for the Diamonds.

“But I really love what Wallam does. She shoots a great amount of volume but it’s the energy she brings. There’s just this aura about her on court that is brilliant to watch. She really owns it.

“Being a second-year player is always the toughest — people now know all about you. She had a slower start to the season but she’s really coming into her own now.

“I think she would be such an asset to the Diamonds, as is Sophie Garbin though when she’s firing.”

Donnell Wallam’s case for Diamonds selection is strong. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Both Wallam and Garbin were named in the Diamonds initial 19-player squad, which will be trimmed to a final squad of 12 plus three reserves following a training camp.

Chatfield believes there’s still a chance Garbin could be picked ahead of Wallam if she performs well in the Diamonds pre-World Cup training camp.

“It’s just if when Garbin gets back into the Diamonds training environment if they see what we all know she can do but hasn’t been able to do in Super Netball, then I think Garbin will probably get picked,” Chatfield said.

“Garbin seems to thrive once she’s back in the green and gold, which is probably the opposite to a lot of other players. Usually you have to be firing to even get in there. She’s in a very unique position.

“At the moment, I think they’ll stick with Garbin. But if Wallam continues on her way, they’d be crazy not to look at her.

“I just think the season needs to play out and then Stacey Marinkovich will grab hold of her Aussie Diamonds squad and she will do what she needs to do with her playing group.”

Diamonds face impossible dilemmas, who will be X-factor selection?

Apart from the battle between Wallam and Garbin, there are two positions in the midcourt that will be giving Marinkovich sleepless nights as she trims her squad to four shooters, four defenders and four midcourt players.

Amy Parmenter starred at wing defence during last year’s international campaign in the absence of veteran Ash Brazill, but Parmenter could well be snubbed for Brazill, who recently announced this would be her last season of professional netball.

Amy Parmenter is Australia’s next starting wing defence. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

But she might be overlooked for Ash Brazill. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

“Amy Parmenter has been playing well but Brazill has a stronghold on that wing defence position,” Chatfield said.

“I think a lot would have to change for Braz to not make the side.”

Interestingly, Parmenter and Brazill will face off this weekend when the Giants take on the Magpies in Super Netball Round 9.

Marinkovich will also have to choose between Kate Moloney and Jamie-Lee Price for the last midcourt sport behind captain Liz Watson, Paige Hadley and Brazill.

“The midcourt battle I think will come down to combinations — who Stacey can call on if things aren’t working,” Chatfield said.

“I think the connection between Liz and Kate has been working.

“I think Jamie-Lee Price is the one player — she’s playing so well you have to think she’ll make the side, I just don’t know where. It’s potentially the combination that could keep her out. She’s certainly been playing well.”

Chatfield believes Wallam and Price loom as X-factor selections that could be difference makers in Australia’s campaign to win the World Cup back from New Zealand.

She said: “Who is that X-factor player they’re going to consider for the World Cup? Is it a Jamie-Lee Price? Is it a Donnell Wallam?

“There’s always an X-factor player within the team who can be very versatile and change up the game. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Jamie-Lee in there.”

Super Netball Round 9 (all times AEST)

Adelaide Thunderbirds vs Queensland Firebirds — Saturday 5pm

West Coast Fever vs NSW Swifts — Saturday 7pm

Sunshine Coast Lightning vs Melbourne Vixens — Sunday 2pm

Collingwood Magpies vs Giants — Sunday 4pm

Originally published as Aussies ‘would be crazy’ not to consider Donnell Wallam as World Cup ‘X-factor’ dilemmas emerge